Top Emerging Defenders in the Class of ’25

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defense is one of the most fun positions to break down. There are so many small details that make a defender great and this year at 16s, we see athletes starting to read opposing teams and develop as leaders. Here are some of the top emerging defenders in the class of 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["178238"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Ava is an athlete who is incredibly dynamic. Not only is she a talented defender, but she can also set as well. Ava has great court awareness and a high volleyball IQ. Her ball control and serve receive are very high-level. Ava is an athlete who could have a huge club season this year and continue to impress on the court.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["178235"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Maddie is a really great libero who really has developed every aspect of her game. She brings a lot of energy and consistency to the court. Maddie plays well out of left and middle back and has a great first contact on the ball whether it is on defense or serve receive. She has a lot of potential and I can't wait to see her on the court this club season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["202231"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Eva is one of the hardest workers on the court. She has good fundamentals and is disciplined in her movement. Her aggressive serve has become a huge part of her game. Eva will play at VC United this year and has a lot of potential to have a big impact. Her focus, determination, and work-ethic make her a huge asset to every team she plays on.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["178254"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Lily is a fun libero to watch because she is incredibly scrappy. She will lay out and get a touch on any ball that comes over the net. She is fearless and confident in the back row. Lily also is a talented setter as well. She has a good volleyball IQ. Her consistency paired with scrappiness makes her a great libero in the class of 2025.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["178285"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Ava is an athlete I have had the opportunity to watch play several times. She has earned a lot of court time both on her high school and club teams. She has a great first touch and never backs down on big plays.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["178257"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Alexis is scrappy and a natural leader on the court. She is great in coverage and puts up a nice ball in out of system situations. Alexis has impressed me time and time again with her court awareness and ability to read opposing hitters. She has a great platform and moves well on defense and serve receive.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63ad2da501425"} /-->